Several media outlets have reported that leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) held a meeting with former US ambassador Peter Haas at a five-star hotel in Cox’s Bazar, though NCP leaders have denied the claims, insisting they visited the area solely for leisure.
However, speculation has grown after NCP leaders were seen vacationing at the luxurious Royal Tulip Hotel & Spa in Cox’s Bazar on the anniversary of the July Uprising, without visible security arrangements.
Acting Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Ukhiya Police Station Mohammad Arif Hossain confirmed to Times of Bangladesh that NCP leaders had arrived in Cox’s Bazar but had not checked into the Royal Tulip Hotel by noon. He added, “No foreign guests were staying at the hotel on Tuesday.”
NCP’s Joint Member Secretary SM Suja Uddin verified that four top party leaders and one other individual had traveled to Cox’s Bazar. Speaking to Times of Bangladesh, he stated, “They came only for tourism, not for any meeting.” He further mentioned, “Tasnim Zara’s husband is also accompanying them.”
When asked about the rumors, Suja Uddin said he had spoken to Nasiruddin Patwary, one of the visiting leaders, who dismissed the speculation, saying, “What can I do if people spread such rumours?”
Sources reveal that the four NCP leaders – Hasnat Abdullah, Sarjis Alam, Nasiruddin Patwary, and Dr Tasnim Zara – flew from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar on Tuesday morning.
While local administration and hotel sources confirmed the NCP leaders’ presence, they could not verify whether any meeting with Peter Haas had taken place.